Trigger mechanism for firearms



C. B. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS Jam. "im, WM.

Fled Deo. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. @M

ATTORNEY W wn um JH W R Fam my MMM., C, E. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FORFIREARMS s sheetasheet 2 Filed Deo I C. B. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FORF'IREARMS M11., w wm.

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Filed Dec. l5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M my TTORNEY atentecl Jari. 19,1943 ITED s rara ric.

11 Claims.

This Vinvention relates toa trigger mechanism for `firearms suchasrifles, m-achine guns and the like, and especially to` a triggermechanism embodyingtwo triggers which areoperable independently of eachotherto effect firing control.

TheV object of the present invention is generally to improve andsimplify the constructionand operation-of trigger mechanisms of thecharacter described; to provide a trigger mechanismwhich embodies twotriggers operable independently of each other, one trigger being a recontrol trigger and the other functioning kas Van automatic or machinegun trigger; toprovidev a fire control trigger which permits smooth,easy action and which is operable to release the firing vplunger bothduring pull or release of the trigger; and furtherpto provide atriggermechanism which is simple in construction andoperation requiresfew parts, eliminates fine adjust-ments,Y and permits sturdyconstruction, f

The triggerV mechanism is shown by -way of illustration in Vtheaccompanyingl drawings-in which Fig-1 is a longitudinal section of a gunshowing a portion of the bolt action and the trigger mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation-on thetrigger mechanism partially brokenaway;

Fig. `3 is a cross section-takenV on line III-III of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof thering plunger head;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged Vertical longitudinal sectional view of thetrigger mechanism and a portion of the ring plunger and head.;-

Fig. y6 is a perspective View of `the triggerv frame;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the triple latch` arm;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fire control trigger;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a machine gun trigger; and l Fig. l0 isa horizontal section taken on line v which is formed a trigger guard- 2,and at the rear Aend, of Vwhich is formedfa web-3 to which the :stool:`of the gun -is secured,` as-shown at.4 in Fig. -1.- Formed `atthe upper.and rear end of the trigger frame is a ring-shaped member 5 and aforwardly extending clamping plate 6,V

whereby the main frame B of the gun (see Fig. l) Aof the frame areformed stepped faces 'l and 8,

, and intermediate the stepped faces is a cut-away or cored-out portion`9 which extends down thr-ough the web 3 to the bottom of the guardA 2.This cored-out portion also extendsinto the `face 1, and semi-circularangesfl 0 form lthe side walls thereof. The cored-out portion 9 isprovided forthe reception oftwo independently actuated triggers C and Dwhich will hereinafterfbe referred to as the re control trigger and theautomatic or machine gun trigger, Irespectively (see Figs. 8 and 9).Secured to the upper surface of the face 'l by a screw .ll is a tripleylatch member, generally indicated at E (see Fig. 7). This is made ofspring steel and is divided longitudinally into three arms,4 Ill-I4 andI5.` Each of these arms terminates in shoulders which will function aslatches, as will hereinafter be described. y

Below the latch shoulders formed-on the arms lll are bearing bossesllla-lllwwhich arecentrally drilled to-receive'and support a bearingpin|6. Similarly formed onthe end of .the c-entral arm I5 is a bosslctwhich is vertically slotted as indicated at l5b to permit thevbearing pin I6 to extendftherethrough and to move vertically therein,and vformed on -the rear side of the boss la is a lug l5b, the functionof which will later be described.

The main function of the triple latch member B is to controlrthe ringplunger. Il, which is hereinafter referred to, and to form a support forthe rire control trigger C.. The` upper end of this trigger is forkedand consists of a pair ofV spaced bearing "lugs, I8-I8 whicharecentrally drilled to receive andto be hung from the bearing pin Iii.`The lugs areconnected by a crosspiece I9 `(see Fig. 8) andformedintegrally therewith is the finger piece of the trigger C. Alsocarried by the crosspiece is .the pin 20, and forming. extensions ofthe. lugs IS-IB are cheeks 18a which serveto guide .the `trigger againstlateral movement within the trigger frame, and which also function as atrigger stop, as will hereinafter appear.

Before describing the operation of the` trigger mechanism, a briefdescriptionof the bolt action, the firingY pinand ringplunger must besubmitted, as the trigger mechanism .controls the op eration of theseparts., When the shell,.cartriclge,

4or other form of ammunition employed is detonated bythe ring-pin 30,,energy is applied tothe is partially secured. On the upper surface lbolt head 3| to force it rearwardly a predetermined distance. Duringthis predetermined movement, the bolt head is released, permitting theenergy to react on the bolt sleeve 32 and to drive it rearwardly againstthe tension of the spring 33. A secondary sleeve 36 moves rearwardly inunison with the bolt sleeve and serves several functions, among whichwill be mentioned the following:

First, a head member 35 carried by the intermediate sleeve 34 engagesthe plunger head 36 of the firing plunger I'I and thereby functions toreset or cock it. Secondly, during the return movement of the members3|, 32, 33 and 35, the firing plunger spring 38 is recompressed.

Suffice it to say that the firing plunger head 36 is controlled by thetrigger C, or 1n other words is released when the trigger C is pulled.When released, the firing plunger is shot forward by the action of thespring 38 and thereby strikes the head 35a of the firing pin, causing itto strike and detonate the cartridge or other form of ammunitionemployed, A portion of the energy produced by the detonation of thecartridge is utilized to propel the members 3|, 32, 33 and 35 rearwardlya sufcient distance to reset or cock the plunger firing head 36, andthereafter to place the spring 38 under compression, and the plungerfiring head will not be released again until the trigger C is pulled.

In order that the firing plunger head may cooperate with the triplelatch arm E, reference will be made to Fig. 4 of the drawings, as itwill there be seen that the under surface of the head 36 is providedwith a pair of shoulders Illd, which cooperate with the latch arms |-|4,and that a third and forwardly positioned shoulder |5d is provided whichcooperates with the latch arm I5. Also it will be noted that a concaveor rounded depressed surface 40 is formed rearwardly of shoulders justreferred to. With this construction in mind, the operation of thetrigger C will be as follows:

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the latch arms lll-Hl areraised, and that they engage the shoulders Illd of the plunger ring head36, thereby retaining or holding it together with the plunger I'I in acocked position. If the gun is to be fired, a pull will be exerted onthe trigger C in the direction of arrow a, and when this takes place,pin will engage lugr I5b formed in the rear end of arm I5, and as theend of this arm engages the under surface of the head 36, arm I5 willremain stationary. Hence pin 20 will function as a fulcrum point aboutwhich the trigger swings while it is being pulled from the full line tothe dotted line position. The bearing pin I6, as previously stated,extends through the lugs I8 of the trigger, and as the trigger swingsabout the fulcrum point or the pin 20, pin I6 will swing or will bepulled downwardly from the full line to the dotted line position shownin Fig. 5, and as the pin also extends through the bearing bosses Illaof the latch arms |4|4 they will also be pulled downwardly awav from theshoulders I4d. and the firing head 36 will thus be released. Whenreleased it will, together with the plunger I1, be propelled forwardlyby the spring 38, and, as such, will strike the head a of the firing pin3D, causing this to strike the cartridge or other form of ammunitionemployed, thereby causing detonation. The moment detonation takes place,energy becomes available and, as previously stated, this causes rearwardmovement of the parts 3|, 32, 34 and 75 35, causing the member 35 toforce the head 36 and the plunger II rearwardly again past the triplelatch arm.

At this point the spring 33 reaches its full compression and returns theother members to their normal position, While the firing head 36 on theplunger I'I will be stopped and retained in cocked position by thetriple latch arm. That is, it should be rememberedmhat the arms lll-I4and I5 are made of spring steel and when arms I4 are pulled downwardlyinto the same plane as the arm I5 by means of the trigger C, there is atendency for all of the arms together with the trigger to springupwardly the moment the head 36 is released. Ilhus on the returnmovement of the head 36 the several latch arms are in the raisedposition and are momentarily depressed by the head 36 during its returnmovement. But they will again immediately raise when the head 36 passesto a point rearwardly of the same. Hence when it starts its forwardmovement again, shoulder I5d will engage the central latch arm I5 asshown in Fig. 11. Then by releasing the pull on the trigger, arms I4will be released and swing upwardly, while arm I5 will be depressed,thus pulling it out of engagement with the shoulder I5d and permittingthe arms III to engage the shoulders Idd. The gun is thus re-cocked andready for firing.

The description thus far submitted in connection with the trigger Cdescribes the rearward pulling action thereon. Another method ofutilizing the trigger C will be described as follows:

If the gun is to be red, the operator pulls on the trigger C but hegives it a quick jerk or pull. In doing so, he releases or pulls thelatch arms I4 downwardly as previously described, but at the same timethere is a tendency to pull the trigger beyond the releasing position.In doing so, the cheeks Ia forming a part of the lugs I8 on the triggerwill engage stop shoulders I5c formed on opposite sides of thesemi-circular guide flanges I0 (see Figs. 5 and 6) and when these stopshoulders are engaged, the cheeks Ia become a fulcrum point which tendsto lift all three latch arms upwardly When such upward movement takesplace, that is, when a quick jerk is imparted to the trigger, a roundednose 4| on the rear end of the latch arm I5 moves upwardly into theconcave or recessed portion l0 formed on the under side of the ringhead, and thus retains the firing head against release. Then by slowlyreleasing the pull on the trigger C so as to permit it to swingforwardly, the firing head will be released and the cycle of operationpreviously described in connection with the firing plunger, firing pin,and other parts will be repeated.

Thus it will be seen that the trigger C may release the ring head 36 byrearward pull and also during release of forward movement of thetrigger. The last described action of the trigger is the preferred one,as this provides an exceedingly smooth and easy action in connectionwith the release of the firing head, which eliminates any tendency toflinch or jerk the gun when firing.

The trigger action here shown may also be utilized for rapid fire ormachine gun action, the trigger D being employed for this purpose. Ifrapid fire is desired, the operator merely moves his finger from thetrigger C to engage the lower extension 25 of the trigger D. By exertingpressure and pulling this trigger rearwardly, it will obviously swingabout the fulcrum point of pin 23.

the bearing bosses Ma of the latch arms .14, anda. these will bedepressed and will, together with the latch arm I5, be held in depressedposition as long as the trigger D is held in its rearward position. Thusthe firing head 36 is `free to reciprocate without interferenceorretention by i the latches, and automatic or machine gun firing isobtained.

The mechanism disclosed is exceedingly simple, fewvparts being employed,and the parts employed are sturdy in construction. The triple latch issecured by a single member, to wit, the screw H, and it can not swing asthe forward end is provided with an extension e which enters between apair of lugsd--d formed at -the rear end of the face 'I of the triggerframe. The extension e lies between the lugs d-d and thus secures thetriple latch member against swing-I ing movement. It is further retainedagainst swinging or lateral movement by the bearing bosses Ma lyingbetween the lugs Ill-I8 of the trigger C. The extension cheeks I8a ofthis trigger engage the exterior surfaces of the semicircular lugs Hl,shown in Fig. 6, land lateral movement of the trigger within the frameis also prevented.

The pivotal support for the trigger C is the bearing pin I6, but as thisis supported in the i bearing bosses Illa of the arms I4, it becomes afloating support for the trigger which permits it to yield both when thetrigger C is operated and when engaged by the firing head 36.

Fine adjustments are entirely eliminated, as

the movement of the triple latch arms is con-- siderable, therebypermitting the use of shoul-` ders Ild and ld having liberal clearances.

It may otherwise be stated that the opposite side faces of the triggerframe shownv in Fig. 6 are anged, as shown at 45; These anges form asupport for the main gun frame B which is U- shaped at its lowerside,.as shown in Fig. 3, or in other words, provided with side flanges46.

ber 5 and the lug 6, and it is also secured by the pins 23 and 23aextending through. the gun..

frame andthe trigger trame.V

While certain features ofk my invention havebeen more or lessspecifically described and,illus-,

This.Y frame is partly secured by the ring-shaped meme ger, meansactuated by the exerting of a quick L pull on the trigger fordisengaging the rst latch and `for engaging the second latch with theplunger, said second latch disengaging and releasing the plunger duringreturn movement of' the trigger, a second trigger, and means actuated bysaid trigger for maintaining both latches out of engagement with theplunger.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below rthe. plunger, Va pair` of spaced shoulderson thelower faceof :thepplungerwith which. said latchA arms normally engage to retainthe plunger in a cocked position, a pivotally mounted trig- :gerin thetrigger'frame, and means actuated by a pull on the trigger forsimultaneously retracting both latcharms to release the plunger.

3. Ina mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a triggerframe secured thereto, a spring actuated iiring plunger reciprocallymounted in .the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of springactuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame belowthe plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plungerwith which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in acocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between thepair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearward-.ly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained outof engagement with said concave surface, and a trigger pivotally mountedin the trigger frame, said trigger being selectively operable to actuatethe several latch arms to release the firing plunger either during apull on the trigger or during return movement of the trigger.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face ofthe plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain theplunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposedbetween the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plungerrearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normallymaintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a bearing bosson each of the first named latch arms, a bearing supported by saidbosses, and a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, said trigger beingselectively operable to actuate the several latch arms tc release thefiring plunger either during a pull on the trigger or during returnmovement of the trigger.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face ofthe plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain theplunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposedbetween the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plungerrearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normallymaintained out of engagement with said concave'surface, a bearing bosson each of the rst named latch arms, a bearing pin supported Vby saidbosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lug on the end of thethird latch arm and a pin on the trigger, said pin engaging the lug andforcing the third latch arm against the under surface of the plungerwhen a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing it about the bearing pin,said trigger simultaneously retracting the pair of latch arms to releasethe plunger.

6. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face ofthe plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain theplunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposedbetween the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plungerrearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normallymaintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a bearing bosson each of the first named latch arms, a bearing pin supported by saidbosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lug on the end of thethird latch arm, and a pin on the trigger, said pin engaging the lug andforcing the third latch arm against the under surface of the plungerwhen a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing it about the bearing pin,said trigger simultaneously exerting a downward pull on the bearing pinand the pair of latch arms to release the plunger.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a.trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face ofthe plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain theplunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch armdispo-sed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed inthe plunger rearward- 1y of the shoulders, said third latch arm beingnormally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, abearing boss on each of the rst named latch arms, a bearing pinsupported by said bosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lugon the end of the third latch arm, a pin on the trigger, said pinengaging the lug and forcing the third latch arm against the undersurface of the plunger when a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing itabout the bearing pin, said trigger simultaneously exerting a downwardpull on the bearing pin and the pair of latch arms to release theplunger, and a stop member with which the trigger engages when the pairof latch arms are released, said stop functioning as a fulcrum point andcausing upward movement of the trigger and the third latch arm if afurther pull is exerted, said upward movement of the third latch armcausing it to engage the concave surface of the plunger and to preventrelease of the plunger, and said third latch arm releasing the plungerupon return movement of the trigger.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pairof spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the triggerframe below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face ofthe plunger with which said latch .arms normally engage to retain theplunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposedbetween the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plungerrearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normallymaintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a triggerpivotally mounted in the trigger frame, said trigger being selectivelyoperable to actuate the several latch arms to release the firing plungereither during a pull on the trigger or during return movement of thetrigger, a second trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, andmeans actuated by said trigger for maintaining all of the latches out ofengagement with the plunger. 9. In a mechanism of the characterdescribed, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a springactuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above thetrigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch armssecured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spacedshoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch armsnormally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a thirdspring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, aconcave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, saidthird latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with saidconcave surface, a trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, saidtrigger being selectively operable to actuate the several latch arms torelease the firing plunger either during a pull on the trigger or duringreturn movement of the trigger, a second trigger pivotally mounted inthe trigger frame, and a pair of ngers on said trigger engageable withthe bearing bosses of the rst named pair oi latches, said ngers causingdepression of said latches and the bearing pin, and through the bear ingpin, depression of the third latch, when a pull is exerted on the secondtrigger.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, aplurality of depressible spring actuated latches mounted in the path oftravel of the plunger and normally engageable with the plunger to retainit in a cocked position, and a pair of triggers pivotally mounted in thetrigger frame. said triggers being independently operable to depress thelatches to release the plunger.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, atrigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plungerreciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, aplurality of depressible spring actuated latches mounted in the path oftravel of the plunger and normally engageable with the plunger to retainit in a cocked position, and a pair of triggers pivotally mounted in thetrigger frame, one trigger when pulled depressing the latches andreleasing the plunger to re ammunition, one shot for each pull of thetrigger, and the other trigger maintaining the latches depressed topermit continuous operation of the plunger to iire ammunition as long asa pull is maintained on the trigger.

CLYDE B. FERREL.

